Compensators for firearms, and related methods

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure generally relates to compensators for use with firearms, for example, to inhibit muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearms when the firearms are discharged, etc. In one example embodiment, a compensator generally includes a body defining a channel having a keyed shape configured to receive a rail of a firearm to thereby inhibit movement of the body relative to the firearm, and means configured to engage the body and the rail of the firearm to thereby secure the compensator to the firearm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/566,231, filed on Sep. 29, 2017. The entire disclosure of the above-referenced application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to compensators for firearms, and methods relating thereto.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Compensators are often used with firearms (e.g., handguns, rifles, etc.) to reduce muzzle climb and recoil in connection with shooting the firearms. In particular, the compensators are typically attached to the firearms by either threading the compensators onto muzzles and/or barrels of the firearms or by disassembling the firearms and then attaching the compensators thereto (as part of reassembling the firearms). Then, when the firearms are shot, the compensators operate to redirect gasses discharged from the firearms (in association with shooting the firearms) in an upward direction. This, in turn, generates downward forces on the firearms thereby counteracting and/or reducing muzzle climb and recoil of the firearms.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to compensators for use with firearms, for example, to inhibit muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearms when the firearms are discharged, etc. In one example embodiment, a compensator of the present disclosure generally includes a channel configured to receive a rail of the firearm into the channel when the compensator is coupled to the firearm, and a retention device (e.g., a fastener, a lug, a tab, a protrusion, a projection, etc.) configured to extend into the channel and/or engage the rail of the firearm to thereby secure the compensator to the firearm. The channel of the compensator may further included, in one or more variations of this example embodiment, at least one ridge configured to fit at least partly in a groove of the rail.

In another example embodiment, a compensator of the present disclosure generally includes a body defining a channel having a keyed shape configured to receive a rail of a firearm to thereby inhibit movement of the body relative to the firearm, and means configured to engage the body and/or the rail of the firearm to thereby secure the compensator to the firearm.

The present disclosure also generally relates to methods of installing compensators to firearms, wherein the compensators are configured, for example, to inhibit muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearms when the firearms are discharged, etc. In one example embodiment, a method generally includes sliding the compensator over a muzzle end portion of the firearm so that a rail of the firearm is received in a channel of the compensator, and coupling a retention device (e.g., a fastener, a lug, a tab, a protrusion, a projection, etc.) to the compensator to thereby inhibit sliding movement of the compensator off the firearm.

The present disclosure further relates to methods of making compensators for use with firearms, wherein the compensators are configured to inhibit muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearms when coupled to the firearms and when the firearms are discharged. In one example embodiment, a method generally includes forming a channel in a body of the compensator such that the channel defines a keyed shape configured to receive a rail of the firearm, to thereby inhibit movement of the body relative to the firearm when the compensator is coupled to the firearm; and forming an opening in the body of the compensator structured to receive a retention device into the opening for securing the compensator to the firearm.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of compensator including one or more aspects of the present disclosure and illustrated coupled to a firearm;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the compensator of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the compensator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the compensator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, longitudinal section view of the compensator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is another section view of the compensator, taken in a plane including line 6-6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the compensator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the compensator of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 9-12 are perspective views of the compensator and firearm of FIG. 1, illustrating installation of the compensator to the firearm;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a compensator including one or more aspects of the present disclosure and suitable for installation to a firearm;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the compensator of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective, longitudinal section view of the compensator of FIG. 13; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views of the compensator of FIG. 13 illustrating installation of the compensator to a firearm.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description and specific examples included herein are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Compensators of the present disclosure are configured to couple to firearms, for example, at muzzle end portions of the firearms, to inhibit muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearms when shooting (or firing or discharging) the firearms. In connection therewith, the compensators may be used with any desired type of firearms including, for example, pistols (e.g., Glock 19 pistols, Colt 1911 pistols, Springfield Armory XD pistols, etc.), etc., and with firearms having any desired calibers.

Example embodiments of the compensators herein are uniquely configured to couple to the firearms without being threaded to muzzles of the firearms and/or without taking the firearms apart and/or without adding additional/different components to the firearms in order to support the compensators (as required for traditional compensators). In other words, for example, the compensators of the present disclosure are configured to couple to the firearms as provided by and/or received from manufacturers of the firearms without modification to (e.g., without gunsmithing of and/or addition of components to, etc.) and/or disassembly of the firearms. The compensators of the present disclosure are instead configured to couple to rails of the firearms, located toward lower portions of the firearms (e.g., generally below, under, etc. muzzles, barrels, guide rods, etc. of the firearms). In connection therewith, in various example embodiments, the compensators may be keyed such that the rails of the firearms can be received into the compensators (and, conversely, such that the compensators can be received over the rails), whereby keyed connections are then formed between the compensators and the firearms. These keyed connections operate to generally inhibit vertical movement of the compensators relative to the firearms. Embodiments of the compensators may also include means (e.g., fasteners, latches, catches, spring latches, resilient protrusions, other protrusions, lugs, tabs, bars, projections, etc.) (broadly, retention devices) configured to engage the rails of the firearms to thereby secure the compensators to the firearms (and inhibit the compensators from moving (e.g., sliding, etc.) longitudinally, etc. off the firearms (and rails)). As such, it should be appreciated that the compensators of the present disclosure may be used with any desired configuration of rails of firearms (and, in various embodiments, form such keyed connections therewith).

Example embodiments of the compensators herein may also include ports configured to direct (or redirect) gasses, generated when shooting the firearms, generally upwardly, so that the gasses in turn may cause generally downward forces on the firearms. In so doing, the downward forces may operate to counteract (and/or reduce) muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearms when the firearms are shot (as caused by traditional discharge of the gasses from the muzzles of the firearms). What's more, in various embodiments the compensators may direct (or redirect) the gasses, at least in part, laterally of the compensators and generally away from front sights of the firearms, so as to reduce interference by the gasses with viewing the front sights of the firearms during use of the firearms (e.g., when shooting the firearms, etc.).

With that said, FIGS. 1-12 illustrate an example embodiment of a compensator 100 for use with a firearm 101 and including one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, and as will be described, the compensator 100 is configured (e.g., sized, shaped, constructed, etc.) to couple to a muzzle end 103 of the firearm 101. Then, when the firearm 101 is shot, the compensator 100 is configured to redirect gasses discharged from the firearm 101 to reduce muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearm 101. With that said, the firearm 101 is illustrated herein as a pistol. However, it should be appreciated that the compensator 100 may be used with other firearms, including, for example, rifles, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the illustrated compensator 100 includes a body 104 having a channel 106 defined therein for receiving a portion of the firearm 101 (e.g., a rail, etc.) into the channel 106 when coupling the compensator 100 to the firearm 101. As such, the compensator 100 is configured (generally via the channel 106, etc.) to be positioned on the firearm 101 generally over the muzzle end 103 when coupled (or installed) thereto.

The channel 106 of the compensator 100 is formed in a lower, rearward portion of the body 104, and is defined by opposing sidewalls 108, 110 of the body 104. Ridges 112, 114 (broadly, protrusions) are formed along the sidewalls 108, 110, respectively, and protrude away from the sidewalls 108, 110 and at least partly into the channel 106. And, a valley 116 is then defined below the ridges 112, 114, with the ridges 112, 114 extending at least partially over the valley 116 (whereby the valley 116 also defines at least part of the channel 106). In this manner, the channel 106 of the compensator 100 (including the ridges 112, 114 and the valley 116) is generally keyed in such a manner (and/or defines a keyed shape that is configured) to at least partly couple the compensator 100 to the muzzle end 103 of the firearm 101. Thus, a keyed (or mating) connection may be formed between the compensator 100 and the firearm 101 that operates to generally inhibit vertical movement of the compensator 100 relative to the firearm 101. This will be described in more detail hereinafter.

In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 106 extends only partially along a longitudinal length of the body 104 (e.g., the channel 106 does not extend completely through the body 104, etc.). As such, a forward portion of the compensator 100 is generally solid in structure, thereby providing additional weight to the compensator 100 that may allow for more control in follow-up shots using the firearm 101. However, it should be appreciated that in other example embodiments, the channel 106 may in fact extend completely through the body 104 (along the longitudinal length of the body 104) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the body 104 of the compensator 100 may include multiple components fastened together (e.g., via one or more fasteners, connectors, etc.), for example at the forward portion of the compensator generally where the channel 106 ends/terminates, etc.

Also in the illustrated embodiment, the ridges 112, 114 associated with the channel 106 extend along both of the sidewalls 108, 110 substantially an entire length of the channel 106. In other embodiments, though, the ridges 112, 114 may extend along the sidewalls 108, 110 for only part of a length of the channel 106, or the ridges 112, 114 may include breaks such that multiple ridges or protrusions are formed along one or both of the sidewalls 108, 110. What's more, in some exemplary embodiments, only one of the sidewalls 108, 110 may include a ridge (with the other one of the sidewalls 108, 110 then being free of such a ridge). Further, in other exemplary embodiments, ridges may be omitted from both of the sidewalls of the body 104 (but with the compensator 100 still configured to be positioned on the firearm 101 generally over the muzzle end 103, via the channel 106).

The body 104 of the compensator 100 also defines a chamber 118 configured to generally align with a muzzle 119 of the firearm 101 (see, FIGS. 9-12), when the compensator 100 is coupled to the firearm 101. The chamber 118 includes an opening 120 that is located generally above the channel 106 and that extends generally forward through the chamber 118 and to a muzzle 122 of the compensator 100. The opening 120 is configured to receive the muzzle 119 generally in alignment with a barrel of the firearm 101, so that a bullet shot from the firearm 101 can pass through the opening 120 and out of the muzzle 122 of the compensator 100 (without interference from the compensator 100). In connection therewith, the opening 120 is chamfered, in the illustrated embodiment, toward the channel 106 (e.g., at an angle of about forty-five degrees, at an angle of about fifty degrees, at an angle of about sixty degrees, at an angle of about forty degrees, at an angle of about thirty degrees, at angles therebetween, at other angles, etc.). The chamfer helps facilitate receipt of the muzzle 119 of the firearm 101 into the opening 120 and alignment of the muzzle 119 (and, thus, the barrel of the firearm 101) therewith.

In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber 118 of the compensator 100 is located in the body 104 generally forward of the channel 106, and generally thereabove. As such, the compensator 100 is generally open in structure above the channel 106 (and rearward of the chamber 118) to accommodate a slide 123 and the barrel of the firearm 101 when the compensator 100 is coupled to the firearm 101 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). With that said, however, it should be appreciated that the compensator 100 may have other constructions in other embodiments (e.g., the compensator 100 may instead have a tubular construction or box-shape construction such that the slide and barrel of the firearm 101 are located within at least part of the compensator 100 when the compensator 100 is coupled to the firearm 101 but are still able to function without interference from the compensator 100, etc.). In addition, it should also be appreciated that the compensator 100 may have a solid construction in some embodiments and a multi-component construction in other embodiments (e.g., in some embodiments the portion of the compensator 100 comprising the chamber may define a structure that is configured to releasably couple to the body 104 of the compensator 100 (e.g., via one or more fasteners, connectors, etc.)).

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-6, the body 104 of the compensator 100 further defines a guide opening 124 (or counter bore) generally below the chamber 118. The guide opening 124 is configured to receive (and provide room for) a guide rod 125 of the firearm 101 (see, e.g., FIGS. 10 and 12), when the compensator 100 is coupled to the firearm 101. The guide rod 125 is located generally under the barrel of the firearm and may provide alignment of the barrel in the firearm 101 as well as support movement of the slide 123 one the firearm 101. In any regard, the guide rod 125 is generally an integral part of the firearm 101, whereby the firearm 101 would need to be disassembled in order to remove the guide rod 125 and/or replace the guide rod 125, for example, if a compensator were to be coupled to the firearm 101 via the guide rod 125.

With additional reference now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the body 104 of the compensator 100 defines vent openings 126, 128 in fluid communication with the chamber 118 (and the opening 120 of the chamber 118) for use in venting gasses from the muzzle 119 (and barrel) of the firearm 101 (via the chamber 118) when the firearm 101 is shot (and when the compensator 100 is coupled to the firearm 101). In particular in the illustrated embodiment, the compensator 100 includes four vent openings 126. Two of the vent openings 126 are positioned along the sidewall 108 of the body 104, and two of the vent openings 126 are positioned along the sidewall 110. As such, the gasses passing through these vent openings 126 are directed laterally (to the sides) of the compensator 100 and firearm 101 so as to potentially avoid obstructing a front sight view of the firearm 101 when shooting. And, vent opening 128 is positioned toward an upper portion of the body 104 and is configured to vent gasses passing through the vent opening 128 upward and forward of the compensator 100 and firearm 101. In connection therewith, each of the vent openings 126, 128 extends generally upwardly at an angle through the body 104 (with the vent openings 126 extending upwardly and toward the sides of the compensator 100, and with the vent opening 128 extending upwardly and forward of the compensator 100). These angular arrangements of the vent openings 126, 128 facilitate a generally downward force on the compensator 100 and firearm 101 as the gasses move through the openings 126, 128 (e.g., they cause the gasses to generate a downward force on the compensator 100 as the gasses move through the vent openings 126, 128, etc.). And, again, this helps balance and/or counteract the typical upward forces associated with shooting the firearm 101 that cause muzzle climb and/or recoil.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the vent openings 126, 128 extends upwardly through the body 104 at an angle of about forty-five degrees. It should be appreciated, though, that in other embodiments one or more of the vent openings 126, 128 may extend through the body 104 at a different angle than other ones of the vent openings. In addition, one or more of the vent openings 126, 128 may extend through the body 104 at angles other than forty-five degrees, for example, about fifty degrees, about sixty degrees, about forty degrees, about thirty degrees, at angles therebetween, at other angles, etc. Further, in other embodiments, the compensator 100 may include a different number and/or arrangement of vent openings 126 and/or 128. For example, more than two or fewer than two venting openings 126 may be included in one or both of the sidewalls 108, 110 of the compensator body 104. And, in some embodiments, for example, one or both of the sidewalls 108, 110 of the compensator 100 may not include any vent openings 126 at all (e.g., in at least one embodiment, the compensator is free of and does not include vent openings 126 in the sidewalls 108, 110, etc.). In addition, in some embodiments, the compensator 100 may include multiple ones of the venting opening 128 in the upper portion of the body 104 (or even no vent opening 128 at all). Further, it should be appreciated that the vent openings 126, 128 may include any desired shapes (or cross sections extending through the body 104) within the scope of the present disclosure (e.g., circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, etc. shapes/sections). In addition, in some embodiments, the compensator 100 may have a multi-component construction wherein the portion of the compensator 100 comprising the vent openings 126, 128 may define a structure that is configured to releasably couple to the body 104 of the compensator 100 (e.g., via one or more fasteners, connectors, etc.).

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate installation of the compensator 100 to the firearm 101. As shown, the compensator 100 is initially aligned with the muzzle end 103 of firearm 101. The compensator 100 is then moved (e.g., slid, etc.) over the muzzle end 103. In so doing, the channel 106 of the compensator 100 receives a rail 129 of the firearm 101. In particular, the ridges 112, 114 of the compensator 100 are configured fit into (or to be received into) corresponding grooves 131 of the rail 129. And, a lower lip 133 of the rail 129 (FIGS. 9 and 10) is configured to fit into (or be received into) the valley 116 of the compensator's channel 106. In this manner, the rail 129 and the channel 106 generally mate to form the keyed connection therebetween that helps inhibit vertical movement of the compensator 100 relative to the firearm 101 (e.g., movement in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 135 of the barrel of the firearm 101 (see, FIG. 1), etc.). In addition, the muzzle 119 of the firearm 101 moves generally into the opening 120 of the chamber 118 of the compensator 100 (e.g., as guided by the chamfered portion of the opening 120, etc.). And, the guide rod 125 of the firearm 101 generally aligns with and/or moves into the guide opening 124.

Then, once the compensator 100 is positioned over the muzzle end 103 of the firearm 101, a fastener 136 (e.g., a threaded screw, a set pin, a nut and bolt, etc.) (broadly, a retention device) secures the compensator 100 to the firearm 101 against longitudinal movement of the compensator 100 relative to the firearm 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 136 includes a screw configured to be inserted through (or received through) a channel opening 138 in sidewalls 108, 110 of the body 104 of the compensator and extending through the compensator 100 (e.g., at least partly into and/or through a bottom wall 130 (or lower portion) of the body 104 of the compensator 100, etc.), and through a rail channel 139 of the rail 129 (FIGS. 9 and 10) (which aligns with the channel opening 138 when the compensator 100 is positioned on the muzzle end 103 of the firearm 101). In this manner, the positioning of the fastener 136 through the channel opening 138 and the rail channel 139 inhibits sliding movement of the compensator 100 off the firearm 101 (e.g., movement in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 135 of the barrel of the firearm 101, etc.). And, the compensator 100 may then be removed from the firearm 101, as desired (by removing the fastener 136 and sliding the compensator 100 off the rail 129 of the firearm 101, etc.).

In other embodiments, means other than the screw may be used to secure the compensator 100 to the firearm 101, for example, latches, catches, spring latches, resilient protrusions, other protrusions, lugs, tabs, projections, bars, etc. (broadly, retention devices). In such embodiments, the means other than the screw may be separate from and/or may be integral with the compensator 100, and may then be used to secure the compensator 100 to the firearm 101, for example, when the rail 129 of the firearm 101 does not include the rail channel 139 (such that the rail channel 139 is not present to receive the screw), etc. For instance, a tab, projection, bar, etc. may be formed integrally with the compensator 100 within the channel 106 (e.g., along the bottom wall 130, etc.), whereby the tab may then be configured to engage the rail 129 of the firearm 101 (e.g., within the rail channel 139 of the rail 129, etc.) for use in securing the compensator 100 to the firearm 101. It should also be appreciated that more than one fastener may be used to secure the compensator 100 to the firearm 101 in other embodiments. It should further be appreciated that retention devices (e.g., latches, catches, spring latches, resilient protrusions, other protrusions, lugs, projections, bars, etc.) may be used to couple the compensator 100 to the firearm 101, where the retention devices extend through openings of the compensator 100 at locations other than the sidewalls 108, 110. For example, one or more retention devices may extend through a bottom wall 130 (or lower portion) of the body 104 of the compensator 100, when the compensator 100 is positioned on the muzzle end 103 of the firearm 101, and engage the rail 129 (either directly or within the rail channel 139) to thereby inhibit sliding movement of the compensator 100 off the firearm 101 (e.g., movement in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 135 of the barrel of the firearm 101, etc.). In connection therewith, the retention device may include a bar, lug, etc. coupled to the bottom wall 130 of the body by a fastener, etc. (where the bar, lug, etc. then engages the rail 129 of the firearm 101, etc.) In other embodiments, retention devices may be used to couple the compensator 100 directly to a body of the firearm 101 (e.g., independent of the rail 129, etc.).

In the illustrated embodiment, the body 104 of the compensator 100 includes a generally L-shaped design. In other embodiments, though, the body 104 may include other shapes, for example, generally rectangular box shapes, tubular shapes, etc. In addition in the illustrated embodiment, the body 104 of the compensator 100 is constructed from aluminum (e.g., aluminum that is hard anodized, etc.). But in other embodiments, the body 104 may be constructed from other materials such as, for example, steel, alloys, etc. Further, in the illustrated embodiment the firearm 101 is illustrated as including a Glock™ rail style (rail 129) having the single rail channel 139. However, it should be appreciated that the compensator 100 may be used with other rails (and/or styles of rails) in other embodiments (e.g., Picatinny™ rail styles, NATO accessory rail styles, other rail styles, etc.), for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-17 and described below. What's more, it should also be appreciated that the configuration of the channel 106 of the compensator 100 may be modified to receive such other rails (and/or styles of rails) as needed in order to still provide the keyed connection described above (regardless of a cross-sectional shape of the other rails, a number of rail channels included in the other rails, etc.). As such, the present disclosure should not be construed to be limited to any particular rail or style of rail for a firearm 101 (e.g., the present disclosure is not limited to the particular rails or rail styles illustrated and/or described herein and may be applicable to any other firearm rails or rail styles with the compensators herein then being configured to couple thereto in the manners described herein, etc.). Still further, the compensator 100 may also provide protection to the muzzle 119 of the firearm 101 (when coupled thereto) and inhibit going out of battery when contacting muzzle 119 with a hard surface, etc.

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate another example embodiment of a compensator 200 for use with a firearm 201 and including one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The compensator 200 is substantially the same as the compensator 200 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-12. In this embodiment, though, the compensator 200 is configured for coupling to the firearm 201, where the firearm 201 has a different style of rail 229 (e.g., a Picatinny™ rail style, etc.) comprising a generally modified cross section and multiple rail channels 239.

As shown in FIGS. 13-15, the compensator 200 of this embodiment generally includes a body 204 having a channel 206 defined therein for receiving a portion of the firearm 201 (e.g., rail 229, etc.) into the channel 206 when coupling the compensator 200 to the firearm 201. Again, the channel 206 is formed in a lower, rearward portion of the body 204, and is defined by opposing sidewalls 208, 210 of the body 204. Ridges 212, 214 are formed along the sidewalls 208, 210, respectively, and protrude away from the sidewalls 208, 210 and at least partly into the channel 206. And, a valley 216 is then defined below the ridges 212, 214, with the ridges 212, 214 extending at least partially over the valley 216 (whereby the valley 216 also defines at least part of the channel 206). In this manner, the channel 206 of the compensator 200 (including the ridges 212, 214 and the valley 216) in this embodiment, again, is generally keyed in such a manner (and/or defines a key that is configured) to at least partly couple the compensator 200 to the muzzle end of the firearm 201.

The body 204 of the compensator 200 also defines a chamber 218 configured to generally align with a muzzle 219 of the firearm 201 (see, FIGS. 16 and 17), when the compensator 200 is coupled to the firearm 201. The chamber 218 includes an opening 220 that is located generally above the channel 206 and that extends generally forward through the chamber 218 and to a muzzle 222 of the compensator 200. The opening 220 is configured to receive the muzzle 222 generally in alignment with a barrel and muzzle 219 of the firearm 201, so that a bullet shot from the firearm 201 can pass through the opening 220 and out of the muzzle 222 of the compensator 200 (without interference from the compensator 200). In connection therewith, the opening 220 is chamfered, in the illustrated embodiment, toward the channel 206. The chamfer helps facilitate receipt of the muzzle 219 of the firearm 201 into the opening 220 of the compensator 200 and alignment of the muzzle 219 (and, thus, the barrel of the firearm 201) therewith.

The body 204 of the compensator 200 further defines vent openings 226, 228 for use in venting gasses from the muzzle 219 (and barrel) of the firearm 201 when the firearm 201 is shot (and when the compensator 200 is coupled to the firearm 201). The vent openings 226, 228 are substantially the same as vent openings 126, 128 of the compensator 100, such that the above description also applies hereto.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate installation of the compensator 200 to the firearm 201. As shown, the compensator 200 is initially aligned with a muzzle end 203 of firearm 201. The compensator 200 is then moved (e.g., slid, etc.) over the muzzle end 203. In so doing, the channel 206 of the compensator 200 receives the rail 229 of the firearm 201. In particular, the ridges 212, 214 of the compensator 200 are configured fit into (or to be received into) corresponding grooves 231 of the rail 229. And, a lower lip 233 of the rail 229 is configured to fit into (or be received into) the valley 216 of the compensator 200. In this manner, the rail 229 and the channel 206 generally mate to form a keyed connection therebetween that helps inhibit vertical movement of the compensator 200 relative to the firearm 201.

Then, once the compensator 200 is positioned over the muzzle end 203 of the firearm 201, a fastener 236 (e.g., a threaded screw, a set pin, a nut and bolt, etc.) secures the compensator 200 to the firearm 201 against longitudinal movement of the compensator 200 relative to the firearm 201. In this embodiment, the fastener includes a screw configured to be inserted through (or received through) a channel opening 238 extending through the body 204 of the compensator 200, and through one of the multiple rail channels 239 of the rail 229 (i.e., a particular one of the rail channels 239 that aligns with the channel opening 238 when the compensator 200 is positioned on the muzzle end 203 of the firearm 201). In this manner, the positioning of the fastener 236 through the channel opening 238 and the aligning rail channel 239 inhibits sliding movement of the compensator 200 off the firearm 201.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Example embodiments have been provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, assemblies, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapes disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, and 3-9.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, seeds, members and/or sections, these elements, components, seeds, members and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, seed, member or section from another element, component, seed, member or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, seed, member or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, seed, member or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compensator for use with a firearm to inhibit muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearm when the firearm is discharged, the compensator comprising: a channel configured to receive a rail of the firearm into the channel when the compensator is coupled to the firearm, the channel including at least one ridge configured to fit at least partly in a groove of the rail; and a retention device configured to extend into the channel and engage the rail of the firearm to thereby secure the compensator to the firearm.
 2. The compensator of claim 1, wherein the retention device is further configured to extend into a rail channel of the rail of the firearm when securing the compensator to the firearm.
 3. The compensator of claim 1, further comprising first and second sidewalls defining the channel; and wherein the at least one ridge of the channel includes first and second ridges each configured to fit at least partly in a corresponding groove of the rail of the firearm, the first ridge defined along the first sidewall and the second ridge defined along the second sidewall.
 4. The compensator of claim 3, further comprising at least one vent opening located in the first sidewall and/or the second sidewall for venting gasses from the firearm when the firearm is discharged.
 5. The compensator of claim 4, wherein the at least one vent opening includes at least four vent openings; and wherein two of the at least four vent openings are located in each of the first and second sidewalls.
 6. The compensator of claim 1, wherein the retention device includes a threaded fastener.
 7. The compensator of claim 1, wherein the channel further includes a valley defined generally below the at least one ridge, the valley configured to receive a lip of the rail.
 8. The compensator of claim 1, wherein the body of the compensator is configured to slide onto the firearm without being threaded to a muzzle of the firearm.
 9. A compensator for use with a firearm to inhibit muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearm when the firearm is discharged, the compensator comprising: a body defining a channel having a keyed shape configured to receive a rail of a firearm to thereby inhibit movement of the body relative to the firearm; and means configured to engage the body and the rail of the firearm to thereby secure the compensator to the firearm.
 10. The compensator of claim 9, wherein the keyed shape of the channel is configured to inhibit movement of the body relative to the firearm in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a barrel of the firearm.
 11. The compensator of claim 10, wherein the means is further configured to engage the rail of the firearm to inhibit movement of the compensator in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm.
 12. The compensator of claim 10, wherein the body defines an opening configured to receive the means at least partly therein to thereby secure the compensator to the firearm.
 13. The compensator of claim 12, wherein the opening is defined in a bottom wall of the body.
 14. The compensator of claim 13, wherein the means includes a threaded fastener.
 15. The compensator of claim 9, wherein the body includes at least one ridge extending into the channel and at least partly defining the keyed shape of the channel.
 16. A method of making a compensator for use with a firearm, wherein the compensator is configured to inhibit muzzle climb and/or recoil of the firearm when coupled to the firearm and when the firearm is discharged, the method comprising: forming a channel in a body of the compensator such that the channel defines a keyed shape configured to receive a rail of the firearm, to thereby inhibit movement of the body relative to the firearm when the compensator is coupled to the firearm; and forming an opening in the body of the compensator structured to receive a retention device into the opening for securing the compensator to the firearm.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the opening in the body of the compensator includes forming the opening in a sidewall of the compensator.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: forming a chamber in the body of the compensator for receiving a muzzle of the firearm when the compensator is coupled to the firearm; and forming at least one vent opening in the body of the compensator adjacent the chamber for venting gasses from the muzzle of the firearm when the firearm is shot.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming the retention device to include a protrusion structured to extend through the opening in the body of the compensator and to engage a rail of the firearm when the compensator is coupled to the firearm.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein forming the opening in the body of the compensator includes forming the opening in a bottom wall of the body of the compensator. 